'Left 4 Dead 2' modes, weapons a variety of fun
New features re-engage players who loved the original.
Published Dec. 1, 2009
Engaging environments, a fresh weapon arsenal and new duties make "Left 4 Dead 2" just as much fun as its predecessor. This sequel introduces enough ideas to justify a $60 price tag, without compromising "L4D's" successes.
"L4D2" sets the zombie apocalypse in the South. Within the five campaigns, there are four or five chapters, and none of them are a disappointment. The most enjoyable ones are those you see in movies, such as an abandoned highway jammed with cars and a carnival, complete with clown zombies — which, for whatever reason, are more difficult to kill.
"L4D2" forces you and your fellow survivors to be more tactical. As usual, it is necessary to stay close to survive, but the developers at Valve wanted to challenge this strategy. Enter three new special infected zombies.
Chargers, spitters and jockeys have ways to try and split up survivors. Just as the oldies — hunters, boomers and smokers — have precautionary music and grunts, so do the newbies.
Valve also tried to give the survivors an edge, too. This is when strategy is essential. Instead of just the temporary healing pills, survivors can now grab adrenaline shots that speed up reloads and movement, or instead of first aid kits, survivors can carry explosive ammunition or defibrillators.
When playing, having these options forces you to anticipate the survivors' conditions. Will you need an adrenaline shot to run faster toward rescue? Or will you need the "chest paddles" to revive a dead teammate?
You might even choose to incorporate strategy in your weapon arsenal. Instead of shooting until you can't see straight, you can carry a melee weapon in lieu of your pistols. When brandishing a gun, your melee strength runs out after four pistol whips, but with a melee weapon you can slice zombies with a katana, beat them with a Cricket bat or saw them with a chainsaw endlessly.
But Valve wanted you to use the new guns, I promise. There's a more powerful shotgun, a magnum pistol — serving as a dual-pistol/melee weapon alternative — three new rifles and another SMG from which to choose. Oh, and a grenade launcher. The combat rifle quickly became my preferred weapon because it shoots in bursts of three with above average accuracy.
If you're into endless hordes, Survivor mode is still accessible with Xbox Live. Valve added Realism and Scavenger modes for online play, too. The former removes the colored lining around survivors, gives witches instant kills, nullifies rescue rooms and presents a few other challenges. Scavenger mode is a high-speed scenario where survivors try to collect gas cans while the special infected try to stop them.
The advent of these game modes contributes greatly to "L4D2"'s replay value, as does the crossbreed of strategy and endless gunfire. Then again, so does shooting off a clown zombie's head, punching a hunter before he pounces you and crowning a witch.
"L4D2" makes the zombie apocalypse feel the way it should: hectic, gory and a little fun. Mild frustration with the maps aside, "L4D2" is a must have this holiday season.